Closure for collapsible tubes



Patented Sept. 13, 1938 i UNITED STATES PATENT voFFlcr:

Application May 26, 1937, Serial No, 143,793 In Italy October 7, 1936 aclaim. (ci :zi-so) A snap-action hinged cap as largely employed as aclosure for other containers would be a suitable closure for collapsibletubes adapted to receive ointments or pastes, but a closure 0l this kindhas not been successfully introduced for tubes on account of the factthat low price is essential for collapsible tubes. spring memberrequired for the snap-action unduly increases the cost.

'I'his invention relates to a collapsible tube with a hinged snap capclosure, in which the spring member of the snap closure is formed by thepivot of the hinge.

This pivot has a certain resiliency and is mounted in such manner thatthe cap is apt to yield to a. slight extent transversely of the pivot.

'I'he accompanying drawing shows by way of example a constructionaccording to the invention.

Figure l is a cross section;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the collapsible tube top and cap, the pivotof rotation being omitted.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the collapsible tube top, the cap beingomitted.

An annular support A the neck c of the collapsible tube C oi' tin, leador similar metal (or alloy) and held thereon by the riveted edge of theupper end of the neck c. The cap support A is made conveniently of aplastic material, for instance synthetic min. However, it can be made ofthe same material as the'collapsible tube and be integral with thelatte'r. The cap B is also'made conveniently of a synthetic material andis provided on the inside with an insert t of resilient materilal, forinstance cork, which in the colsed cap position is pressed on the edgeofthe neck c insuring a tight closure of the tube.

'Ihe cap B is provided with a projection P which comes between the eyesm and n of the support lA and is hinged to the latter by means of thepivot h. As corresponding to the diameter of the pivot h extends throughthe whole thickness of the eyes m and n and not through the wholethickness of the projection p on the cover B. The latter projection isformed on both sides with openings z, y,

through which the pivot his freely movable. said pivot being guided onlyin the middle ridge p' having a bore corresponding to, the diameter ofthe pivot.

The pivot his made of spring steel. On the side an elastic metal, e. g.remote from the hinge Provision oi the 4for the cap is tted on shown inFigure 2, the bore' closure cap, releasable the cap in and out of thecap B is formed with a nose b engaging in the closed position a taperedprojection a on the cap support A. These two parts form together withthe pivot h a snap closure. When the cap B is pushed upwardly at 'itsfree end, it moves slightly to the right, for the pvot h bends in theopening z, y in which it is freely arranged.

On depressing the cap B to its closed position, the pivot h yieldsslightly and permits the nose b to snap over the projection a. .By itstendency to resume its straight position the pivot h holds the cap inthe closed position.

We wish to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

What we claim is:

l. A collapsible tube comprising a topl piece, a closure cap of rigidmaterial, releasable fastening projections on ksaid top piece and cap, apivot of resilient material by means oi' which the cap is hinged to saidtop piece and the projections are held in fastened position, the capbeing slightly displaceable perpendicularly to the hinge axis againstthe tension of the pivot the resiliency of which is suiilcient to permitswinging of the cap in and out of the released position withoutdeformation of the cap.

2. A collapsible tube comprising a neck, a top piece xed on said neck bymeans of the riveted neck-edge, -a closure cap of rigid material,releasable fastening projections on said top piece and cap, a pivot ofresilient material by means of which the cap is hinged to said top pieceand the projections are held in fastened position, the cap beingslightly displaceable perpendicularly to the hinge vaxis against thetension ofthe pivot the resiliency of which is suflicient to permitswinging of the cap in and out ofthe released position withoutdeformation oi the cap.

3. A collapsible tube comprising a. top piece. a fastening projectionson said top piece and cap, a pivot of resilient material by means o twhich the cap is hinged to said-top piece and thprojections are held infastened position, said resilient pivot being mounted ln-parti'reely insaid hinged members for permitting slight displacements of the capperpendicularly to the hinge axis for swinging released position.

enanas romanzo LANzm'rr.

